Display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes: a first touch electrode; a first touch pad electrically connected to the first touch electrode by a touch wire; and a first dummy pad not connected to the touch wire, and disposed adjacent to the first touch pad, wherein a width of the first touch pad is greater than a width of the first dummy pad.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2019-0034630 filed in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office on Mar. 26, 2019, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a display device.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Recently, display devices such as an organic light emitting device and aliquid crystal display have increased in popularity. Generally, adisplay device includes a display panel including pixels for displayingimages.

Further, the display device may further include a touch sensing functionallowing the user to interact with the display device while the displaydevice displays images. When the user touches a screen with a finger ora touch pen, the display device senses changes of a pressure, charges,or light applied to the screen, so the touch sensing function determinestouch information such as whether an object or icon is touched on thescreen and/or a touch position of the user's touch with respect to thescreen. The display device may receive an image signal based on thetouch information.

Regarding the display device, a pad portion for inputting and outputtingsignals for controlling pixels and a driving device may be provided. Inaddition, the display device may generate touch detection signals uponuser touches, and a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) in a form ofan integrated circuit (IC) chip or a film may be bonded to the padportion.

SUMMARY

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displaydevice includes: a first touch electrode; a first touch pad electricallyconnected to the first touch electrode by a touch wire; and a firstdummy pad not connected to the touch wire, and disposed adjacent to thefirst touch pad, wherein a width of the first touch pad is greater thana width of the first dummy pad.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes: a first region and a second region adjacent to thefirst region, wherein the first touch pad is one of a plurality of firsttouch pads disposed in the first region; a plurality of second touchpads disposed in the second region; and a plurality of second dummy padsdisposed in the second region, wherein the first dummy pad is one of aplurality of first dummy pads disposed in the first region, wherein theplurality of first touch pads and the plurality of first dummy pads arearranged along a first direction in the first region, and wherein theplurality of second touch pads and the plurality of second dummy padsare arranged along the first direction in the second region.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality offirst touch pads and the plurality of first dummy pads are alternatelydisposed in the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of lower edgesof the plurality of first touch pads in the first region faces at leastone of upper edges of the plurality of second dummy pads in the secondregion with respect to a second direction crossing the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a second touch electrode, wherein the first touchelectrode includes first touch cells arranged in the first direction andfirst connectors connecting the first touch cells to each other, andwherein the second touch electrode includes second touch cells arrangedin the second direction and second connectors connecting the secondtouch cells to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touchelectrode includes fine electrode lines traversing each other and anopening between the fine electrode lines.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a flexible printed circuit substrate electricallyconnected to the first touch pad.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a displaydevice includes: a substrate including a display area and a non-displayarea; a pixel circuit disposed in the display area; an organic lightemitting element and a partition wall disposed on the pixel circuit; anencapsulation layer covering the pixel circuit, the organic lightemitting element, and the partition wall; a first touch electrodedisposed on the encapsulation layer; a first touch pad portion disposedin the non-display area; and a touch wire electrically connecting thefirst touch electrode and the first touch pad portion to each other,wherein the first touch pad portion includes a first touch pad connectedto the touch wire and a first dummy pad disposed adjacent to the firsttouch pad and not connected to the touch wire, and wherein a width ofthe first touch pad is greater than a width of the first dummy pad.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touch padis one of a plurality of first touch pads, wherein the first dummy padis one of a plurality of first dummy pads, and wherein each of theplurality of first dummy pads is disposed between adjacent first touchpads among the plurality of the first touch pads.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a second touch pad portion, wherein the first touch padportion is disposed adjacent to a first edge of the substrate, andwherein the second touch pad portion is disposed adjacent to a secondedge of the substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a plurality of second touch pads, wherein each of thefirst touch pad portion and the second touch pad portion includes bothof a first region and a second region which are separated from eachother, wherein the plurality of first touch pads are arranged along afirst direction in the first region, and wherein the plurality of secondtouch pads are arranged along the first direction in the second region.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a plurality of second dummy pads in the second region,and wherein each of lower edges of the plurality of first touch pads inthe first region faces at least one of upper edges of the plurality ofsecond dummy pads in the second region with respect to a seconddirection crossing the first direction.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the plurality offirst touch pads, the plurality of second touch pads, the plurality offirst dummy pads, and the plurality of second dummy pads in the firsttouch pad portion each have a shape that is slanted toward the secondedge of the substrate, and the plurality of first touch pads, theplurality of second touch pads, the plurality of first dummy pads, andthe plurality of second dummy pads in the second touch pad portion eachhave a shape that is slanted toward the first edge of the substrate.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a second touch electrode, wherein the first touchelectrode includes first touch cells arranged in the first direction andfirst connectors connecting the first touch cells to each other, andwherein the second touch electrode includes second touch cells arrangedin the second direction and second connectors connecting the secondtouch cells to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes: an inorganic layer disposed on the encapsulationlayer; and a planarization layer disposed on the inorganic layer,wherein the first connectors are disposed on the inorganic layer,wherein the first touch cells, the second touch cells, and the secondconnectors are disposed on the planarization layer, and wherein theplanarization layer includes an opening, wherein the first connectorsand the first touch cells are connected via the opening.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touchelectrode includes fine electrode lines.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touchelectrode includes an opening between the fine electrode linestraversing each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fine electrodelines overlap the partition wall.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a conductive layer disposed on the encapsulation layerin the non-display area and connecting the touch wire and the firsttouch electrode to each other.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display devicefurther includes a flexible printed circuit substrate electricallyconnected to the first and second touch pad portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a touch area of a display device of FIG.1;

FIG. 4 shows a layout view of an enlarged first touch pad portion ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a layout view of an enlarged second touch pad portion ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a display device with respect toa line VI-VI′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 shows a layout view of an enlarged portion A of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a display device with respect toa line VIII-VIII′ of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described morefully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. As thoseskilled in the art would realize, the described exemplary embodimentsmay be modified in various different ways, and thus should not belimited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

In the figures, like reference numerals may denote like elements orfeatures, and thus their descriptions may be omitted.

The size and thickness of each configuration and/or element shown in thedrawings may be exaggerated for clarity, and the present invention isnot limited thereto.

It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, film,region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” another element, itcan be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

Further, throughout the specification, the phrase “on a plane” may meanviewing the object portion from the top, and the phrase “on across-section” may mean viewing a cross-section of which the objectportion is vertically cut from the side.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display device includes a display area (DA), agate driver 400, a data driver 600, and touch drivers 700 and 750.

The display area (DA) includes a plurality of pixels PX. The pixel PX inthe display area (DA) is for displaying an image, and the display area(DA) of the display device displays the image through a plurality ofpixels PX.

The gate driver 400 generates scan signals (G1 to Gn) corresponding toan externally supplied driving power and control signals, and the gatedriver 400 supplies them to a respective gate line 142. The pixels PXare selected by scan signals (G1 to Gn) and sequentially receive datavoltages (D1 to Dm). The gate driver 400 may be provided in a form of athin film transistor (or a plurality of thin film transistors) on thesubstrate together with a pixel circuit, or the gate driver 400 may bemounted in a chip formed on the substrate.

The data driver 600 generates data voltages (D1 to Dm) corresponding toexternally supplied data and control signals, and supplies them to arespective data line 171. The data voltages (D1 to Dm) supplied to therespective data lines 171 are supplied to the pixel PX selected by thescan signals (G1 to Gn) each time the scan signals (G1 to Gn) aresupplied. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,the display device may further include an emission control driver forsupplying an emission control signal.

The display device further includes a touch area TA for sensing a touch.It is shown in FIG. 1 that the touch area TA is the same area as thedisplay area (DA). However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the touch area TA may digress from the displayarea (DA) or may be provided in an area that is wider or narrower thanthe display area (DA).

The touch drivers 700 and 750 may transmit a touch signal through atouch wire 720 and may sense a touch position. The touch drivers 700 and750 may include a first touch driver 700 and a second touch driver 750.The first touch driver 700 may transmit touch input signals (T1 to Ti)to a touch electrode through a first touch wire 721, and the secondtouch driver 750 may receive touch output signals (R1 to Rj) through asecond touch wire 722.

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The display deviceincludes a display panel 100 and a flexible printed circuit substrate500.

The display panel 100 includes a plurality of pixels PX and includes adisplay area (DA) for displaying images, a non-display area (NA) that isan area excluding the display area (DA), and a touch area TA for sensinga touch of the user.

A plurality of pixels PX are provided in the display area (DA), and aplurality of signal lines including a plurality of gate lines 142 and aplurality of data lines 171 are provided therein and connected to theplurality of pixels PX.

The non-display area (NA) may be provided to at least partially surroundthe display area (DA). In the non-display area (NA), elements or wiresfor generating or transmitting various signals applied to the displayarea (DA) may be provided, and a gate driver 400 may be integratedtherein.

A pad portion (PA) including pads electrically connected to the flexibleprinted circuit substrate 500 is provided at one side of the non-displayarea (NA). The pad portion (PA) includes a pixel driving pad portion(PPA) to which signal lines 640 for driving the pixel PX are connected,and a touch pad portion (TPA) connected to the touch wire 720.

The pixel driving pad portion (PPA) may include pads connected to thesignal lines 640 for driving the pixels PX. The signal lines 640 fordriving the pixels PX may include a data line 171, a clock signal line,a low voltage line for transmitting a low voltage, and a scanning startsignal line for transmitting a scanning start signal.

The touch pad portion (TPA) may include a first touch pad portion TPA1provided on a left side of the pixel driving pad portion (PPA) and asecond touch pad portion TPA2 provided on a right side of the pixeldriving pad portion (PPA). For example, the pixel driving pad portionPPA may be provided between the first touch pad portion TPA1 and thesecond touch pad portion TPA2. In other words, the touch pad portion(TPA) has been described to be provided on respective sides of the pixeldriving pad portion (PPA). However, the present invention is not limitedthereto. For example, the touch pad portion (TPA) may be provided on oneside of the pixel driving pad portion (PPA). For example, the touch padportion (TPA) and the pixel driving pad portion (PPA) may be provided ona same layer in a cross-sectional view.

The flexible printed circuit substrate 500 may be bent, and one side ofthe flexible printed circuit substrate 500 may overlap the pad portion(PA) of the display panel 100 and may be electrically connected to thepad portion (PA) in the non-display area (NA) of the display panel 100.For example, the flexible printed circuit substrate 500 may beelectrically connected to the first touch pad portion TPA1 and thesecond touch pad portion TPA2. For example, the flexible printed circuitsubstrate 500 includes a data driver IC 550 for generating a datavoltage that may be a gray voltage corresponding to an input imagesignal. Further, the touch drivers 700 and 750 of FIG. 1 may be includedin the data driver IC 550, or may be manufactured to be an additionaldriving chip and be mounted on the flexible printed circuit substrate500.

FIG. 3 shows a top plan view of a display device of a touch area (TA) ofFIG. 1. The touch area TA of the display device includes a first touchelectrode 450 and a second touch electrode 460.

The first touch electrode 450 includes a plurality of first touch cells451 having a polygonal shape (e.g., a rhombus shape), and a plurality offirst connectors 452 for connecting the first touch cells 451 to eachother in a first direction (x). The first touch electrode 450 may be atransmitter (Tx) touch electrode for transmitting a touch input signal.The first touch cell 451 has been described to have a rhombus shape, butthe first touch cell 451 is not limited to the shape.

The second touch electrode 460 may include a plurality of second touchcells 461 having a polygonal shape (e.g., a rhombus shape), and aplurality of second connectors 462 for connecting the second touch cells461 to each other in a second direction (y). The second touch electrode460 may be a receiver (Rx) touch electrode for transmitting a touchoutput signal. The second touch cell 461 has been described to have arhombus shape, but the second touch cell 461 is not limited to theshape. For example, in a plan view, the first touch cell 451 neighborsthe second touch cell 461, and the first connector 452 crosses thesecond connector 462.

The first touch electrode 450 is separated from the second touchelectrode 460 by a predetermined interval, and capacitance may be formedbetween the first touch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode460. When a touch is generated by the user, the capacitance formedbetween the first touch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode 460changes, and the first touch driver 700 and the second touch driver 750of FIG. 1 may recognize this change of capacitance to determine thetouch position.

The first touch cell 451, the second touch cell 461, and the secondconnector 462 may be provided on the same layer. The first connector 452may be provided on a different layer from the first touch cell 451, thesecond touch cell 461, and the second connector 462. For example, thefirst connector 452 may be provided below the first touch cell 451, thesecond touch cell 461, and the second connector 462. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto. For example, the firstconnector 452 may be disposed above the first touch cell 451, the secondtouch cell 461, and the second connector 462. To be described, the firstconnector 452 may be connected to the first touch cell 451 through anopening.

The second touch cell 461 and the second connector 462 of the secondtouch electrode 460 may be integrally formed. For example, the firsttouch cell 451, the second touch cell 461, and the second connector 462may be simultaneously formed in the same processing stage. However, thesecond connector 462 may not be simultaneously formed with the firsttouch cell 451 and the second touch cell 461, and it may be formedseparately by using a different material in another processing stage.

Further, it has been described in the present exemplary embodiment thatthe first connector 452 is disposed on the different layer from thefirst touch cell 451, the second touch cell 461, and the secondconnector 462, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, the first touch cell 451, the second touch cell 461, and thefirst connector 452 may be disposed on the same layer, and the secondconnector 462 may be disposed on the different layer from the firsttouch cell 451, the second touch cell 461, and the first connector 452.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touchcell 451 and the first connector 452 of the first touch electrode 450may be disposed on the same layer, the second touch cell 461 and thesecond connector 462 of the second touch electrode 460 may be disposedon the same layer, and the first touch electrode 450 and the secondtouch electrode 460 may be disposed on different layers from each other.

The first touch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode 460 mayinclude a low resistance metal such as silver (Ag), aluminum (Al),copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), or nickel (Ni), or a conductive nanomaterialsuch as a silver nanowire or carbon nanotubes. The touch electrode(e.g., 450 and/or 460) has low resistance so an RC delay may be reduced,and it has flexibility so it may not be easily cracked when it isrepeatedly deformed such as bent.

A touch wire 720 is disposed in the non-display area (NA) of the displaypanel 100. The touch wire 720 includes a first touch wire 721 and asecond touch wire 722. The first touch wire 721 is connected to thefirst touch electrode 450, and a second touch wire 722 connected to thesecond touch electrode 460. The touch wire 720 may extend in thenon-display area (NA), and may be connected to the touch pad 610 of thetouch pad portion (TPA).

The touch pad portion (TPA) includes a touch pad 610 and a dummy pad620. The touch pad 610 is connected to the touch wire 720, and the dummypad 620 not connected to the touch wire 720 and floating. The dummy pad620 may be disposed among the touch pads 610. In addition, the touch pad610 and the dummy pad 620 may be alternately disposed in the firstdirection (x). For clarity, sizes of the touch electrodes 450 and 460and the touch pad 610 may be exaggerated, and the display device mayinclude a different number of touch electrodes 450 and 460 and touchpads 610.

FIG. 4 shows a layout view of an enlarged first touch pad portion (TPA1)of FIG. 3. The first touch pad portion (TPA1) includes a touch pad 610and a dummy pad 620.

The touch pad 610 is electrically connected to the first touch electrode450 or the second touch electrode 460 by the touch wire 720. The touchpad 610 may have a quadrangular shape. For example, the touch pad 610may have a rhombus shape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. As anadditional example, the touch pad 610 may have a quadrangular shape thatincludes an upper portion that is inclined or slanted to a right sideof, for example, the display panel 100. In other words, a lateral sideof the touch pad 610 may form an oblique line extending toward an upperright side of the touch pad 610. When the touch pad 610 is formed tohave an inclined quadrangular shape (e.g., a rhombus shape) rather thana rectangular shape, it is easier to align the touch pad 610 than thetouch pad formed to have a rectangular shape.

The touch pad 610 may be disposed in two rows. In other words, the firsttouch pad portion (TPA1) may include a first region 651 and a secondregion 652 disposed below the first region 651 in a plan view. The firstregion 651 and the second region 652 may respectively extend in thefirst direction (x). The first region 651 may be separated from thesecond region 652 in the second direction (y). The touch pad 610 issequentially disposed in the first direction (x) in the first region 651and the second region 652.

The touch pad 610 disposed in the first region 651 and the touch pad 610disposed in the second region 652 may receive different signals fromeach other. Therefore, the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention may reduce the number of touch pads610 compared to the case in which the touch pad 610 disposed in thefirst region 651 and the touch pad 610 disposed in the second region 652receive the same signal as each other. As a result, a compressed area ofthe touch pad 610 may be obtained, and the size of the touch pad 610 maybe further increased. Further, the number of touch wires 720 may beminimized, so it is possible to increase the thickness of the touchwires 720.

The dummy pad 620 is disposed between the touch pads 610. The touch pad610 and the dummy pad 620 may be alternately disposed with respect tothe first direction (x). The dummy pad 620 may be in floating statewhile not connected to the first touch electrode 450 and the secondtouch electrode 460. In other words, the dummy pad 620 may not receiveany voltage. Regarding the display device according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, the dummy pad 620 may be disposedbetween the touch pads 610 to prevent signal interference or noise thatmay be generated between the adjacent touch pads 610.

In the first touch pad portion TPA1 and the second touch pad portionTPA2, at least one dummy pad 620 may be disposed in a region separatedfrom the touch pad 610 in the second direction (y). For example, a loweredge of the touch pad 610 disposed in the first region 651 may face atleast one upper edge of the dummy pads 620 disposed in the second region652 with respect to the second direction (y). Further, an upper edge ofthe touch pad 610 disposed in the second region 652 may face at leastone lower edge of the dummy pads 620 disposed in the first region 651with respect to the second direction (y). Therefore, noise that may begenerated between the adjacent touch pads 610 in the first direction (x)and noise that may be generated between the adjacent touch pads 610 inthe second direction (y) may be prevented.

A width w1 of the touch pad 610 may be greater than a width w2 of thedummy pad 620. In this instance, the width represents a length in thefirst direction (x). As the number of the touch pads 610 is minimized,it is possible to increase the width w1 of the touch pad 610 in a samespace. Therefore, an access defect that may be generated in the touchpad 610 may be prevented.

The touch wire 720 connected to the touch pad 610 disposed in the secondregion 652 may extend to pass between the touch pad 610 and the dummypad 620 disposed in the first region 651.

FIG. 5 shows a layout view of an enlarged second touch pad portion(TPA2) of FIG. 3. The second touch pad portion TPA2 includes a touch pad610 and a dummy pad 620. The second touch pad portion TPA2 is similar tothat shown with reference to FIG. 4 except for the shape of the touchpad 610, so no repeated or redundant content will be described.

The touch pad 610 of the second touch pad portion TPA2 may have aquadrangular shape. For example, the touch pad 610 may have a rhombusshape, a square shape, or a rectangular shape. As an additional example,the touch pad 610 may have a quadrangular shape that includes an upperportion that is inclined or slanted to a left side of, for example, thedisplay panel 100. In other words, a lateral side of the touch pad 610may form an oblique line extending toward an upper left side of thetouch pad 610. When the touch pad 610 is formed to have an inclinedquadrangular shape (e.g., a rhombus shape), it is easier to align thetouch pad 610 compared to the touch pad formed to have a rectangularshape.

The second touch pad portion TPA2 may include a first region 651 and asecond region 652 disposed below the first region 651. The first region651 may be separated from the second region 652 in the second direction.A touch pad 610 is sequentially disposed in the first direction (x) inthe first region 651 and the second region 652.

The touch pad 610 disposed in the first region 651 and the touch pad 610disposed in the second region 652 may receive different signals.

The dummy pad 620 is disposed between the touch pads 610, and it floatswhile not connected to the first touch electrode 450 and the secondtouch electrode 460. In other words, the dummy pad 620 may not receiveany voltages.

At least one dummy pad 620 may be disposed in a region separated fromthe touch pad 610 in the second direction (y). For example, the loweredge of the touch pad 610 disposed in the first region 651 may face atleast one upper edge of the dummy pads 620 disposed in the second region652 with respect to the second direction (y). Further, the upper edge ofthe touch pad 610 disposed in the second region 652 may face at leastone lower edge of the dummy pads 620 disposed in the first region 651with respect to the second direction (y).

The width w1 of the touch pad 610 may be greater than the width w2 ofthe dummy pad 620. As the number of the touch pads 610 is minimized, itis possible to increase the width w1 of the touch pad 610 in the samespace.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a display device with respect toa line VI-VI′ of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 6, the display panel 100 includes a substrate 110. Thesubstrate 110 may include a flexible material such as plastic, that maybe bent, folded, or wrapped. The substrate 110 may also include theabove-described display area (DA) and the non-display area (NA).

A display layer 200 is disposed in the display area (DA) of thesubstrate 110. The display layer 200 includes a pixel circuit includingat least one thin film transistor, an organic light emitting element ofwhich emission of light is controlled by the pixel circuit, and apartition wall for partitioning an emission region.

An encapsulation layer 390 for covering the display layer 200 isdisposed on the display layer 200. For example, the encapsulation layer390 may seal the display layer 200 by covering the upper side and thelateral sides of the display layer 200. The encapsulation layer 390 maybe disposed on a front side of the display area (DA) and may be extendedfrom the display area (DA), and an end of the encapsulation layer 390may be disposed in the non-display area (NA).

When the display device is an organic light emitting device, the organiclight emitting element is very weak or sensitive to moisture and oxygensuch that the display device may be damaged, so the encapsulation layer390 seals the display layer 200 to intercept or prevent inflowing ofexternal moisture and oxygen. The encapsulation layer 390 may include aplurality of layers, and it may be formed of a multilayer structureincluding an inorganic film and an organic film. For example, it may beformed of a triple layer on which an inorganic film, an organic film,and an inorganic film are sequentially formed.

An inorganic layer 410 may be included on the encapsulation layer 390.The inorganic layer 410 may include at least one of a metal oxide, ametal oxynitride, a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, or a siliconoxynitride.

A planarization layer 420 is disposed on the inorganic layer 410. Theplanarization layer 420 may include an organic material such as anacryl-based resin.

A second touch cell 461 is disposed on the planarization layer 420. Thesecond touch cell 461 is electrically connected to the touch pad 610through a connecting member (e.g., a conductive layer) 635 and thesecond touch wire 722. For example, the connecting member 635 may bedisposed on the encapsulation layer 390 in the non-display area (NA). Inaddition, the connecting member 635 may extend to the edge of theencapsulation layer 390, and it may be electrically connected to thesecond touch wire 722 disposed on the substrate 110. As an additionalexample, the connecting member 635 may be disposed on the encapsulationlayer 390 and partially disposed on the substrate 110. The connectingmember 635 may include a conductive curing material.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first touchcell 451 may be electrically connected to the touch pad 610 through aconnecting member, disposed on the encapsulation layer 390, and thefirst touch wire 721.

FIG. 7 shows a layout view of an enlarged portion A of FIG. 3. It isshown in FIG. 7 that the first touch cell 451 of the first touchelectrode 450 and the second touch cell 461 of the second touchelectrode 460 are separated from the first connector 452 disposed on adifferent layer.

Referring to FIG. 7, the first touch electrode 450 and the second touchelectrode 460 may be formed in a mesh pattern. In this case, the firsttouch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode 460 include aplurality of fine electrode lines 470 which have a fine width and arearranged in parallel to a third direction and a fourth directiontraversing the third direction (e.g., the fourth direction issubstantially perpendicular to the third direction). The fine electrodelines 470 include a fine electrode line 451 a of the first touch cell451 and a fine electrode line 452 a of the first connector 452. The fineelectrode lines 470 further include a fine electrode line 461 a of thesecond touch cell 461 and a fine electrode line 462 a of the secondconnector 462. The fine electrode line 470 arranged in the thirddirection and the fine electrode line 470 arranged in the fourthdirection crossing each other to thus form an opening with a rhombusshape. For example, the mesh pattern of the first touch electrode 450and the second touch electrode 460 may have a constant lattice shapeaccording to an arrangement of the fine electrode lines 470.

The first touch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode 460 areformed of a plurality of fine electrode lines 470, and they may notintercept light emitted by the organic light emitting device and mayreduce an area of overlapping wires of the display panel 100 to thusminimize parasitic capacitance.

The first touch electrode 450 and the second touch electrode 460 havebeen described to include an opening in a rhombus shape, but the shapeof the opening is not limited thereto, and it may have various shapessuch as a quadrangular shape or a polygonal shape. Further, the thirddirection and the fourth direction in which the fine electrode lines 470extend are not limited to the oblique direction, and they may beparallel to the first direction or the second direction.

The first connector 452 may be disposed below the first touch cell 451,the second touch cell 461, and the second connector 462. The firstconnector 452 is disposed on a portion shown with a dotted line in FIG.7, and partly overlaps the first touch cell 451 and the second connector462. The first connector 452 is connected to the first touch cell 451 ina region overlapping the first touch cell 451.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a display device with respect toa line VIII-VIII′ of FIG. 7.

The display device includes a substrate 110, and a buffer layer 121 isdisposed on the substrate 110. For example, the buffer layer 121 mayinclude a silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or a silicon oxide (SiO_(x)). Thebuffer layer 121 is disposed between the substrate 110 and asemiconductor layer 154. The buffer layer 121 may prevent a penetrationof an impurity from the substrate 110 in a crystallization process forforming polysilicon, and the buffer layer 121 may flatten the substrate110, to thereby release stress of the semiconductor layer 154 formed onthe buffer layer 121.

The semiconductor layer 154 is disposed on the buffer layer 121. Thesemiconductor layer 154 may be made of a polysilicon or an oxidesemiconductor. The semiconductor layer 154 includes a channel region152, a source region 151, and a drain region 153. The source region 151and the drain region 153 are disposed on respective sides of the channelregion 152. The channel region 152 is an intrinsic semiconductor towhich an impurity is not doped, and the source region 151 and the drainregion 153 are impurity semiconductors to which a conductive impurity isdoped. The semiconductor layer 154 may be made of an oxidesemiconductor, and in this case, an additional passivation layer may beprovided to protect an oxide semiconductor material that is weak inexternal environments such as a high temperature.

A gate insulating layer 122 is disposed on the semiconductor layer 154to cover the same. The gate insulating layer 122 may be a single layeror a multilayer structure including at least one of a silicon nitride(SiN_(x)) or a silicon oxide (SiO_(x)).

A gate electrode 155 is disposed on the gate insulating layer 122, andthe gate electrode 155 may be a multilayer structure on which a metalfilm including one of copper (Cu), a copper alloy, aluminum (Al), analuminum alloy, molybdenum (Mo), and/or a molybdenum alloy is stacked.

An interlayer insulating layer 123 is disposed on the gate electrode 155and the gate insulating layer 122. For example, the interlayerinsulating layer 123 may include a silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or asilicon oxide (SiO_(x)). Openings for exposing the source region 151 andthe drain region 153, respectively, is disposed in the interlayerinsulating layer 123.

A source electrode 161 and a drain electrode 162 are disposed on theinterlayer insulating layer 123. The source electrode 161 and the drainelectrode 162 are respectively connected to the source region 151 andthe drain region 153 of the semiconductor layer 154 through the openingsformed in the interlayer insulating layer 123 and the gate insulatinglayer 122.

A passivation layer 180 is disposed on the interlayer insulating layer123, the source electrode 161, and the drain electrode 162. Thepassivation layer 180 covers the interlayer insulating layer 123, thesource electrode 161, and the drain electrode 162 to flatten the same,so a pixel electrode 191 may be formed on the passivation layer 180without steps or an uneven surface. The passivation layer 180 may bemade of a stacked film of an organic material such as a polyacrylateresin or a polyimide resin, or of an organic material and an inorganicmaterial.

The pixel electrode 191 is disposed on the passivation layer 180. Thepixel electrode 191 is connected to the drain electrode 162 through anopening of the passivation layer 180.

A driving transistor configured with a gate electrode 155, asemiconductor layer 154, a source electrode 161, and a drain electrode162 is connected to the pixel electrode 191 to supply a driving currentto the organic light emitting element (OLED). The display deviceaccording to the present exemplary embodiment may further include aswitching transistor connected to the data line 171 and transmitting adata voltage in response to a scan signal, and a compensation transistorconnected to the driving transistor and compensating a threshold voltageof the driving transistor in response to the scan signal, in addition tothe driving transistor described with reference to FIG. 8.

A partition wall 361 for covering the passivation layer 180 and thepixel electrode 191 is disposed on the passivation layer 180 and thepixel electrode 191, and the partition wall 361 includes a pixel opening365 for exposing the pixel electrode 191. The partition wall 361 mayinclude an organic material such as a polyacrylate resin or a polyimideresin, or a silica-based inorganic material. The pixel opening 365 mayhave a rhombus shape in a plan view. However, the present invention isnot limited thereto. For example, the pixel opening 365 may have variousshapes such as a quadrangular shape or a polygonal shape.

An organic emission layer 370 is disposed on the pixel electrode 191exposed by the pixel opening 365. The organic emission layer 370 may bemade of a low molecular organic material, or a high molecular organicmaterial such as a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Further,the organic emission layer 370 may be a multilayer structure furtherincluding one or more of a hole injection layer (HIL), a holetransporting layer (HTL), an electron transporting layer (ETL), and/oran electron injection layer (EIL).

A common electrode 270 is disposed on the organic emission layer 370.The common electrode 270 may be disposed on a plurality of pixels. Thepixel electrode 191, the organic emission layer 370, and the commonelectrode 270 may form an organic light emitting diode (OLED).

Here, the pixel electrode 191 may be an anode that is a hole injectionelectrode, and the common electrode 270 may be a cathode that is anelectron injection electrode. However, an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention is not limited thereto, and the pixel electrode 191may be a cathode and the common electrode 270 may be an anode dependingon the method for driving an organic light emitting device. When holesand electrons are injected into the organic emission layer 370 from thepixel electrode 191 and the common electrode 270, and excitons that arecombinations of injected holes and electrons transition to a groundstate from an excited state, an emission of light is performed duringthat transition.

An encapsulation layer 390 is disposed on the common electrode 270. Adetailed description on the encapsulation layer 390 corresponds to thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 6, so it will be omitted here.

An inorganic layer 410 is disposed on the encapsulation layer 390. Theinorganic layer 410 may include at least one of a metal oxide, a metaloxynitride, a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, or a silicon oxynitride.The inorganic layer 410 may cover the encapsulation layer 390 to protectthe encapsulation layer 390 and prevent permeation of moisture. Further,the inorganic layer 410 may function to reduce parasitic capacitancebetween the common electrode 270 and the touch electrode.

A fine electrode line 452 a of the first connector 452 is disposed onthe inorganic layer 410, and a planarization layer 420 is disposed onthe fine electrode line 452 a of the first connector 452.

A fine electrode line 451 a of the first touch cell 451 is disposed onthe planarization layer 420. Further, although not shown here, a secondtouch cell 461 and a second connector 462 connected to the second touchcell 461 are disposed on the planarization layer 420. The first touchcell 451 is disposed to neighbor the second touch cell 461 in a planview. The first connector 452 overlaps the second connector 462 in aplan view.

As described with reference to FIG. 7, the first touch cell 451 of thefirst touch electrode 450 overlaps a region of the first connector 452.In the region where the first touch cell 451 overlaps the firstconnector 452, the first touch cell 451 is connected to the firstconnector 452 to contact each other. For example, the planarizationlayer 420 may include an opening 425 that is a region in which the firstconnector 452 is exposed, and when the fine electrode line 451 a of thefirst touch cell 451 is formed on the planarization layer 420, amaterial for forming the fine electrode line 451 a of the first touchcell 451 fills the opening 425 to contact the fine electrode line 452 aof the first connector 452 and be connected thereto. For example, thefirst touch cell 451 is disposed on the planarization layer 420, and itmay also be disposed in the opening 425 that exposes the first connector452 and may be connected to the first connector 452.

The fine electrode line 451 a of the first touch cell 451 and the fineelectrode line 452 a of the first connector 452 overlap the partitionwall 361, and may be disposed in the region in which the partition wall361 is disposed. Further, a plurality of fine electrode lines 470 shownin FIG. 7 may have a shape that corresponds to the partition wall 361 ina plan view. Accordingly, the pixel opening 365 may overlap the openingformed by the plurality of fine electrode lines 470. In this instance,the plurality of fine electrode lines 470 may not be disposed in theentire region where the partition wall 361 is disposed, and may overlapthe partition wall 361. For example, only one pixel opening 365 may bedisposed between adjacent fine electrode lines 470 among the pluralityof fine electrode lines 470. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. For example, a plurality of pixel openings 365 may bedisposed between adjacent fine electrode lines 470 among the pluralityof fine electrode lines 470.

A touch electrode passivation layer 430 may be disposed on the fineelectrode line 451 a of the first touch cell 451. The touch electrodepassivation layer 430 may cover the first touch electrode 450 and thesecond touch electrode 460 so that they may not be exposed to theoutside, thereby protecting the first touch electrode 450 and the secondtouch electrode 460. The touch electrode passivation layer 430 mayinclude an inorganic material, such as a silicon nitride (SiN_(x)) or asilicon oxide (SiO_(x)), and/or an organic material, such as apolyacrylate resin or a polyimide resin.

It has been described in FIG. 8 that the first connector 452 is disposedbelow the planarization layer 420, and depending on exemplaryembodiments, positions of the first touch cell 451 and the second touchcell 461, and the second connector 462 and the first connector 452, areinterchangeable. For example, the first touch cell 451, the second touchcell 461, and the second connector 462 may be formed on the inorganiclayer 410 and covered by the planarization layer 420. In this instance,first connector 452 may be located on the planarization layer 420.

While the present invention has been shown and described with referenceto the exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first touchelectrode; a first touch pad electrically connected to the first touchelectrode by a touch wire; a first dummy pad not connected to the touchwire, and disposed adjacent to the first touch pad; a first region and asecond region adjacent to the first region, wherein the first touch padis one of a plurality of first touch pads disposed in the first region,and the first dummy pad is one of a plurality of first dummy padsdisposed in the first region; a plurality of second touch pads disposedin the second region; and a plurality of second dummy pads disposed inthe second region, wherein the plurality of first touch pads and theplurality of first dummy pads are arranged along a first direction inthe first region, and wherein the plurality of second touch pads and theplurality of second dummy pads are arranged along the first direction inthe second region.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein a width ofthe first touch pad is greater than a width of the first dummy pad. 3.The display device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of first touch padsand the plurality of first dummy pads are alternately disposed in thefirst direction.
 4. The display device of claim 3, wherein each of loweredges of the plurality of first touch pads in the first region faces atleast one of upper edges of the plurality of second dummy pads in thesecond region with respect to a second direction crossing the firstdirection.
 5. The display device of claim 4, further comprising a secondtouch electrode, wherein the first touch electrode includes first touchcells arranged in the first direction and first connectors connectingthe first touch cells to each other, and wherein the second touchelectrode includes second touch cells arranged in the second directionand second connectors connecting the second touch cells to each other.6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the first touch electrodeincludes fine electrode lines traversing each other and an openingbetween the fine electrode lines.
 7. The display device of claim 6,further comprising a flexible printed circuit substrate electricallyconnected to the first touch pad.
 8. A display device comprising: asubstrate including a display area and a non-display area; a pixelcircuit disposed in the display area; an organic light emitting elementand a partition wall disposed on the pixel circuit; an encapsulationlayer covering the pixel circuit, the organic light emitting element,and the partition wall; a first touch electrode disposed on theencapsulation layer; a first touch pad portion disposed in thenon-display area; a plurality of second touch pads; and a touch wireelectrically connecting the first touch electrode and the first touchpad portion to each other, wherein the first touch pad portion includesa first touch pad connected to the touch wire and a first dummy paddisposed adjacent to the first touch pad and not connected to the touchwire, wherein the first touch pad is one of a plurality of first touchpads and the first dummy pad is one of a plurality of first dummy pads,wherein the first touch pad portion includes a first region and a secondregion which are separated from each other, wherein the plurality offirst touch pads are arranged along a first direction in the firstregion, and wherein the plurality of second touch pads are arrangedalong the first direction in the second region.
 9. The display device ofclaim 8, wherein a width of the first touch pad is greater than a widthof the first dummy pad, and wherein each of the plurality of first dummypads is disposed between adjacent first touch pads among the pluralityof the first touch pads.
 10. The display device of claim 9, furthercomprising a second touch pad portion, wherein the first touch padportion is disposed adjacent to a first edge of the substrate, andwherein the second touch pad portion is disposed adjacent to a secondedge of the substrate.
 11. The display device of claim 10, wherein thesecond touch pad portion includes a first region and a second regionwhich are separated from each other, wherein the plurality of firsttouch pads are arranged along a first direction in the first region, andwherein the plurality of second touch pads are arranged along the firstdirection in the second region.
 12. The display device of claim 11,further comprising a plurality of second dummy pads in the secondregion, and wherein each of lower edges of the plurality of first touchpads in the first region faces at least one of upper edges of theplurality of second dummy pads in the second region with respect to asecond direction crossing the first direction.
 13. The display device ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of first touch pads, the plurality ofsecond touch pads, the plurality of first dummy pads, and the pluralityof second dummy pads in the first touch pad portion each have a shapethat is slanted toward the second edge of the substrate, and theplurality of first touch pads, the plurality of second touch pads, theplurality of first dummy pads, and the plurality of second dummy pads inthe second touch pad portion each have a shape that is slanted towardthe first edge of the substrate.
 14. The display device of claim 13,further comprising a second touch electrode, wherein the first touchelectrode includes first touch cells arranged in the first direction andfirst connectors connecting the first touch cells to each other, andwherein the second touch electrode includes second touch cells arrangedin the second direction and second connectors connecting the secondtouch cells to each other.
 15. The display device of claim 14, furthercomprising an inorganic layer disposed on the encapsulation layer; and aplanarization layer disposed on the inorganic layer, wherein the firstconnectors are disposed on the inorganic layer, wherein the first touchcells, the second touch cells, and the second connectors are disposed onthe planarization layer, and wherein the planarization layer includes anopening, wherein the first connectors and the first touch cells areconnected via the opening.
 16. The display device of claim 15, whereinthe first touch electrode includes fine electrode lines.
 17. The displaydevice of claim 16, wherein the first touch electrode includes anopening between the fine electrode lines traversing each other.
 18. Thedisplay device of claim 17, wherein the fine electrode lines overlap thepartition wall.
 19. The display device of claim 18, further comprising aconductive layer disposed on the encapsulation layer in the non-displayarea and connecting the touch wire and the first touch electrode to eachother.
 20. The display device of claim 19, further comprising a flexibleprinted circuit substrate electrically connected to the first and secondtouch pad portions.